Sweet Summer

This summer has been one of the sweetest ones I've ever known. The weather has been ideal, not too hot, and there has been frequent rain to keep everything green. It's also the first summer when I haven't been working outside the home, giving me plenty of time to spend in the garden. All of this has combined into one perfect summer.

Normally, my roses would have faded away by now. Not this year. Maybe they don't have as many blooms as in the spring, but they still look pretty good. They even have less blackspot than usual.

I know I've shown so many pictures of my favorite and beloved Queen Red Lime zinnias, but this is the first time in years that they have done so well. I have them everywhere! And while I love how interesting they look, the butterflies love them too. It's a win-win. And I don't make any promises that I won't show them again. They won't peter out until a hard frost hits them, and that is weeks away yet.

Have you figured out by now that I like to use pink in the garden? Yes, it's a sweet color, but I use it 
mostly because the brick on the front of my house has a pink tone. This way, everything coordinates.

 All this perfect weather has make my vegetable garden to the most prolific ever. I've never had so many cucumbers. Normally they produce for about two weeks then peter out. This is today's fairly small harvest. I used it make my first ever batch of gazpacho. It needs to chill overnight for the flavors to blend. I can't wait to try it. Here is a link to the recipe I used. I did add a bit of jalapeno for kick. http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/gazpacho/

Another sweet spot this summer has been having the new patio to help me enjoy the garden. I sit here most nights, and just enjoy the fruits of my labor. Invariably, I'll jump up to take pictures of something that catches my eye.

As the sun sets, its golden glow shines all over the patio garden. This is what I've been waiting for. It's my favorite time for taking garden pix.

I only have a few weeks left to enjoy my sweet, sweet summer. But that's okay, fall is pretty sweet too!